Henley Royal Regatta 2012

As the prestigious half-week-long knock-out event unfolds it never fails to bring with it soaring emotions and crashing despair as dreams are realised or obliterated in defeat. Despite the absence of some of the international teams this year, most of them away preparing for the 2012 London Olympic Games starting in a matter of weeks, the event did not disappoint and I was kept busy every day. Throughout the week there was some exciting racing and equally great photographic opportunities, a challenge for the former this year with the constant and unrelenting head-wind straight down the course – with a few heavy showers thrown in from time to time to challenge the latter! (images below)

Highlights include meeting competitors from as far away as Hong Kong and Japan, the Royal Barge Gloriana rowed up the course (in record slow time) crewed by past Olympians who later attended prize giving, chatting with Umpires on the way to the start in the launches before chasing some dramatic races, the roar of supporters as crews battle with just inches separating them to the finish line, a win for the University of London Boat Club and the positive feedback from everyone who went to see and buy my work in the Regatta Art Gallery (although a slow year for sales, word has it at the end of the week mine was the best selling photographic work there).

My thanks to the organisers, Stewards and countless officials who continue to make the special event what it is, not least their help in allowing me access to certain areas to photograph, I very much look forwards to returning in 2013 and seeing the GB Olympians succeed at this year’s games later this month!

There are some framed images still available, please contact me for more information.